Key facts
UNE unit code: AGRO422
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information

Weeds pose a major threat to Australia’s natural environment and agricultural systems, with economic costs in the billions arising from weed control activities and lost production.
In this unit you will examine modern weed management and the integration of cultural, biological and chemical control techniques in diverse ecosystems.
The unit offers you the option to specialise in a specific eco or industrial system, exploring techniques in cropping systems, pastures, vegetables, orchards and vineyards, lawns and turf, plantation forests, conservation reserves and national parks, rangelands or aquatic systems.
You will hone your skills in weed identification and build knowledge by critically analysing and evaluating the nature of weeds, their impacts and the ways to manage them in different ecosystems.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 4 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | Dates to be advised. The Intensive School is mandatory for online students. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- evaluate the ecological and economic impacts of weeds in diverse agricultural and natural ecosystems;
- critique cultural, physical, biological and chemical weed control techniques in relation to their effectiveness, sustainability and contextual appropriateness;
- use a variety of techniques to determine the identity of a range of important weed species;
- communicate weed management principles, research findings and recommendations to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and
- design integrated weed management systems for specific cropping, pastoral, environmental or amenity contexts, justifying selection of techniques and anticipated outcomes.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Critique of enterprise weed management. No. Words: 1500 |
| Final Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 40% | All offerings | There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Presentation - Assurance Task and Practical Examination - Assurance Task and Final Examination - Assurance Task and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Mandatory Practicals | Yes | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. | |
| Practical Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Intensive school test No. Words: 600 To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Presentation - Assurance Task and Practical Examination - Assurance Task and Final Examination - Assurance Task and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Presentation - Assurance Task | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Intensive school presentation - approximately 8 minutes. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Presentation - Assurance Task and Practical Examination - Assurance Task and Final Examination - Assurance Task and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Weed Collection | Yes | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 1500 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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